SLO Botanical Garden

Free Family Day: Learn About Our Coastal Ecosystem
2026-04-04 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Free Family Day: Learn About Our Coastal Ecosystem
Join our friends at Sea Otter Savvy, SLO Beaver Brigade and Pacific Wildlife Care at the SLO Botanical Garden to learn about some of our favorite coastal creatures and ways to protect them. Enjoy informational booths throughout the Oak Glenn Pavilion and on the beautiful outside terrace. Be sure to stop by explore a display of local seaweeds and shells and talk to local educators.
This event is family-friendly and FREE! Garden admission is waived for the day so be sure to take a stroll and check out our Gift Shop and Garden Nursery.
Please Note:The El Chorro Regional Park day use fee is $5 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays from March thru October. Please bring cash to expedite the entry process.

Birds and Bloom with Morro Coast Audubon Society
2026-04-12 10:00 - 12:00
Free for Members!
The SLO Botanical Garden in collaboration with the Morro Coast Audubon Society presents a bird walk exploring the unique relationship between birds and botany. Plant lovers and bird watchers will learn about this delicate and interconnected relationship, from pollination to seed distribution to nesting and shelter. Susie Reddy and Faylla Chapman will lead the two-hour exploration, on mostly flat terrain. We expect to see and hear a wide variety of avian species as they feed, hide, nest, and defend territory in the garden’s lush habitat.
Members, please use code “FREEBIRD” to receive your complimentary ticket. Membership will be verified. Become a member today!
Enrollment special: On the day of the class, the $15 fee can be applied toward SLOBG membership.
Please note: El Chorro Regional Park charges a $5 day use fee on Friday thru Sunday and holidays from March thru October. Consider purchasing an annual pass or brining cash to expedite the entry process.

Garden Bliss- Movement & Sound Journey at the SLO Botanical Gardens
2026-04-23 17:30 - 19:30
Join us for an immersion of nature, movement and sound this Earth Day.
Jamie Nicole of Harmonic Holistics and Ana of Oceana Yoga will lead participants on an organic, electronic fusion of earth and creativity.
The evening will begin with an all-levels, slow yoga flow led by Ana to help access mobility, strength and relaxation. Then, we will move into a conscious dance amidst the SLO Botanical Garden’s array of native and blooming beauties with silent disco headphones and music by DJ Oceana. We will conclude by integrating movement, dance and nature immersion with a healing sound bath led by Jamie Nicole.
FAQ:
What kind of music?
The dance will be a mix of conscious dance and ecstatic music fused – think organic bass, deep house music, and lyrical medleys singing gratitude of our shared planet.
What if I’ve never done yoga?
Slow yoga with Ana provides accessibility, ease and invigoration from first time students to seasoned practitioners.
What is the cost of this experience?
We are offering sliding scale tickets so please choose the price that fits your budget.
Do I need to arrive on time or stay for the whole event?
No. You are welcome to arrive late or leave early. We ask that you are mindful of sound during sound healing from 6:45-7:20 pm
SLOBG Members – Enter Member5 for $5 off registration fee.

Fused Glass Garden Stake Workshop with Ja9
2026-04-25 10:00 - 13:00
Explore the art of fused glass to create a one-of-a-kind garden stake.
You’ll learn how to cut glass and prepare your piece for firing. Bring your creativity and artistic flair and learn from our Executive Director, Janine Stillman, an internationally known fused glass instructor. Beginners are welcome!
An additional materials fee of $50 will be required, payable to the instructor on the day of the class- cash only, please.
*Members use code Member10off to receive your discount. Membership will be verified at entry.

Nature Sunday: Trees of San Luis Obispo
2026-04-26 10:00 - 12:00
Join Faylla Chapman and Kyle Nessen at the SLO Botanic Garden Pavilion for a talk on trees commemorating Arbor Day, April 24th. Faylla will do a slide show on the Heritage Trees of San Luis Obispo and Kyle will show slides of places around SLO before and after trees, highlighting their importance in the landscape. After the talks there will be a tour of the garden to see samples of some of the trees discussed.
Faylla is a retired marine biologist, a retired science and agriculture teacher at Morro Bay High School, and a former State Parks docent leading nature walks. She is currently a docent at the SLO Botanic Garden, a leader of habitat walks for Morro Coast Audubon, and a presenter of various nature walks and activities for kids and in the community.

Kyle Nessen is a lecturer at Cal Poly and instructor at Cuesta College, where he teaches Botany and Environmental Biology. He holds a bachelor’s degree in botany and recently completed his master’s work investigating how microclimate dynamics affect monarch butterfly behavior at overwintering sites. With years of experience as an environmental consultant focused on monarch habitat restoration across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, Kyle now owns Baywood Labs, a consulting firm that specializes in new approaches to monarch habitat management. Kyle serves on the board of the Morro Bay National Estuary Program and on the steering committee for the Central Coast Biological Society.

Free registration applies to participation with Nature Sunday topic and covers garden admission for the day.

Book Club at the Garden
2026-04-28 17:30 - 19:30
🌿 You’re Invited to a Book Club at the Garden! 🌿
Join us for a delightful early evening at the botanical garden as we come together to discuss Gardening with a Wild Heart by Judith Larner Lowry.
Surrounded by blooming paths, fragrant herbs, and the gentle hum of nature, we’ll explore Lowry’s passionate call to embrace native plants and cultivate gardens that truly belong to their place. This engaging discussion will delve into how gardening can be an act of restoration, connection, and wild beauty.
🌸 What to Expect:
• Thoughtful conversation about ecological gardening
• Shared reflections and favorite passages
• A peaceful garden stroll before the meeting for inspiration
• Tea & Light Refreshments (bring your own and something to share if you choose)
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or simply love being among plants, this gathering is a wonderful opportunity to connect with a small group of fellow readers and nature enthusiasts.
Bring your copy of the book, a friend, and your curiosity. Let’s celebrate gardening with heart — and just a little wildness.
*Free for Members, Use Code: Member5

We look forward to growing together! 🌱

"Busy Bees" Caregiver Participation Volunteer Team
2026-04-30 10:30 - 2026-06-18 12:00
Content is protected.

Founders Tour with Eve
2026-05-06 11:00 - 12:30
Join SLOBG founder and Mediterranean plant expert, Eve Vigil, for a behind-the-scenes tour of the SLO Botanical Garden. Eve may talk about the Garden’s history, what’s in bloom, important maintenance, interesting and unique plants, or whatever most interests the group.
Come on out and get your questions answered! Meet new people and learn great tips and tricks for having a stunning water-frugal garden.
Members can tour for free! Enter code: MemberTen
Tour fee includes admission to the Garden for non-members.

Family Free Day: Faerie Festival!
2026-05-09 10:00 - 14:00
Join us for our 4th annual Faerie Festival!!
This magical Family Free Day is for faeries of all ages! There will be crafts and activities, and the garden will be filled with music, storytelling, and face-painting. Faerie attire is encouraged.
Concessions will be available for purchase.
Entry and activities are free for all; your donations help our children’s programs grow, and our garden thrive.
Please note: there’s a $5 fee to enter El Chorro Park. Having cash will speed up your entry! You can avoid the $5 entry fee by taking the FREE shuttle provided by SLO Safe Ride from the Cuesta College lot.
For more information about this special day, please email: education@slobg.org or call: 805-541-1400.

Special THANKS to our sponsors!!!!

Sold Out: Birds and Bloom with Morro Coast Audubon Society
2026-05-23 10:00 - 12:00

Nature Sunday: Plants that Eat!
2026-05-31 10:00 - 12:00
Join Burke Gehrung as he gives general information about multiple different carnivorous plant species and their trapping mechanisms. Various fun facts about different plants with a focus on nepenthes pitcher plants. He will have several specimens to show and possibly sell.
From Burke:
Hi, my name is Burke Gehrung, I’m a Templeton native, I got into growing Carnivorous plants 3 years ago and have been deeply enamored by them every day since! The reason I got into them was because my grandmother was away on vacation I took care of her plants. After taking care of them, I decided to get plants of my own. When thinking about what plants to get I recalled the nature documentary seeing carnivorous plants specifically pitcher plants, and I looked up if you could buy them. Lo and behold you could! I bought some and got a right onto learning how to take care of them after they were already on their way. I still have all three of those initial plants that I got and hope to keep them forever. I look forward to talking with you all and teaching you about these wonderful plants.

Free registration applies to participation with Nature Sunday topic and covers garden admission for the day.
Please Note: El Chorro Regional Park charges a $5 day use fee from March thru October on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.

Sold Out Little Acorns - Summer 2026-Email: education@slobg.org to be added to Waitlist
2026-06-03 09:30 - 2026-07-08 11:30

6.3.26 Founders Tour with Eve
2026-06-03 11:00 - 12:30

Royal Tea Party
2026-06-04 14:00 - 16:00 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405, United States
Learn more about becoming a charter member of our new Garden group –
The Garden Collective – where connection, learning, and support intersect.
We’ll enjoy tea, treats, and a few bubbles!
There is no charge for this event, though you will need to be a member
of the Garden to join the Collective.
Garden party attire is suggested.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
2:00 – 4:00 PM
OAK GLEN PAVILLION
RSVP by May 31

Nature Sunday: The Remarkable World of Butterflies
2026-06-28 10:00 - 12:00
Butterfly enthusiast Pat Brown will introduce you to the amazing world of butterflies. She will discuss the importance of native plants to the survival of butterflies as their populations are declining. Come and learn about the fascinating lives of these beautiful insects. After the presentation if there is an interest, we can walk around the garden and search for butterflies.

For 20 years, Pat has been giving butterfly presentations in the Elfin Forest, where she volunteers. She is also a photographer and will share images of how butterflies develop along with intriguing butterfly facts.
Free registration applies to participation with Nature Sunday topic and covers garden admission for the day.
Please Note: El Chorro Regional Park charges a $5 day use fee from March thru October on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.

Book Club at the Garden
2026-06-30 17:30 - 19:30
🌿 You’re Invited to a Book Club at the Garden! 🌿
Join us for a delightful early evening at the botanical garden as we come together to discuss Suzanne Simard’s “When the Forest Breathes.”
🌸 What to Expect:
• Thoughtful conversation about ecological gardening
• Shared reflections and favorite passages
• A peaceful garden stroll before the meeting for inspiration
• Tea & Light Refreshments (bring your own and something to share if you choose)
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or simply love being among plants, this gathering is a wonderful opportunity to connect with a small group of fellow readers and nature enthusiasts.
Bring your copy of the book, a friend, and your curiosity. Let’s celebrate gardening with heart — and just a little wildness.
*Free for Members, Use Code: Member5

We look forward to growing together! 🌱
